Concerning number of drug drivers caught in highway blitz

Ali Kuchel is the editor at the Gatton Star, having worked through the ranks as a journalist.
Ali’s career has taken her from South Australia to Charleville’s Western Times in outback Queensland, to Gatton, back to South Australia for the Stock Journal and finally returning to Gatton.
Her interests include agricultural, rural and equine journalism along with photography.

UPDATE: A total of 17 drug drivers were caught during Queensland Police's Operation Quebec Smoke at Gatton today.

Inspector Sharee Cumming was satisfied with the outcome of the operation and said she did not go into the day with any expectations in terms of figures.

"(But) 17 drug drivers in the space of six hours is really concerning," she said.

A total of 2800 random breath tests were conducted, which caught two drink drivers.

Police issued 48 traffic infringement notices, which included 13 fatal five offences, and 12 notices to appear for unlicensed driving.

Seven people were charged with a total of 14 drug offences and one person was issued with an arrest for warrants.

Five vehicles were also towed away.

EARLIER: Both lanes of the Warrego Highway near Gatton have been reduced to a crawl as Queensland Police conduct Operation Quebec Smoke.

The multi-agency traffic interception operation aimed at delivering a road safety message to motorists, as well as conducting random breath tests, drug tests and vehicle inspections.

More than 100 officers were involved in the static operation, the biggest Inspector Sharee Cumming has seen in her 27 years of service.

"The number of police officers you see out here on the roads today highlights just how important road safety is to the public," Insp Cumming said.

A vehicle undergoes an inspection as part of Operation Quebec Smoke.ALI KUCHEL

Both directions of the Warrego Hwy were reduced to one lane between UQ Gatton campus and the overpass from about 8.30am today.

Police conducted random breath and drug tests as well as utilising automatic number plate registration technology.

Insp Cumming said road safety was "vitally important" as it affected everybody.

"If we can intercept people and talk to them about road safety in this positive environment, (and) if it raises the awareness for another hour or so down the road, then it goes someway to contributing to the safety when they're driving," she said.